Abstract: The effect of MC4R Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and the carcass traits in a synthetic broiler line was investigated. A total of 180 chicken samples were genotyped with Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). As a result, four SNPs (C85T, G187A, G622C and G923T) were identified and the C85T SNP was found for the first time. C85T and G187A (Locus A) genotypes were significantly associated with live Body Weight (BW), Carcass Weight (CW), Semi-Eviscerated Weight (SEW), Eviscerated Weight (EW) (p<0.01), Breast Muscle Weight (BMW), Percentage of Breast Muscle (BMP) and Leg Muscle Weight (LMW) (p<0.05). The G622C (Locus B) genotypes were associated with BW, CW, SEW and Percentage of Leg Muscle (LMP) (p<0.01) whereas the G923T (Locus C) genotypes were associated with Carcass Percentage (CP) and Percentage of Breast Muscle (BMP) (p<0.05). The haplotypes constructed on the four SNPs were associated with BW, CW, EW, BMW (p<0.01), CP and LMP (p<0.05). Significantly dominant effects of diplotypes H3H5 were observed for traits BW, CW, EW, BMW and LMP whereas H1H2 had a negative effect on BW, CW, EW and BMW.
Y. Zhou, D.G. Cao, Q.X. Lei, H.X. Han, F.W. Li, G.M. Li and B.H. Huang, 2012. Associations of Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms with Carcass Traits in a Synthetic Broiler Line. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 13-19.